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Mexican-American War, 1846 - 1848

 

Mexican-American War 1846 - 1848

The Mexican-American War is also called the Mexican War or Guerra de 1847, if you speak Spanish.


Image Above:

U.S. General Winfield Scott and his troops entering Mexico City on September 14, 1847.

 

The Mexican-American War in a Nutshell

This war was fought April 25, 1846 - February 2, 1848. The Americans won. Mexico lost big.

Involved was Antonio López de Santa Anna, who lost California, Arizona, and New Mexico for his country.

 

What Triggered the Mexican-American War?

Mexico viewed the Nueces River as their boundary.

The Americans begged to differ and rather saw the Rio Grande as their boundary.

When American General Zachary Taylor crossed the Nueces River and stationed his troops at Point Isabel, Mexican General Mariano Arista and his troops crossed the Rio Grande.

They ran into each other for the first time on April 25, 1846.

 

Nueces River
Mexico Claimed the Nueces River,
the United States the Rio Grande as their Boundary

CLICK MAP TO ENLARGE

 



War Declaration

The United States declared war on Mexico on May 13, 1846.

The reason?

Mexican troops stationed at Matamoros targeted Fort Brown. (See map above) President James Knox Polk declared this an invasion of American soil.

 

What Ended the Mexican-American War?

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war. The United States won.

 

The Battles of the Mexican-American War

Among others, the battles of the Mexican-American war were:

May 8, 1846 - Battle of Palo Alto

May 9, 1846 - Battle of Resaca de la Palma

February 22 - 23, 1847 - Battle of Buena Vista

April 18, 1847 - Battle of Cerro Gordo
 


Battles of the Mexican-American War
CLICK MAP TO ENLARGE


 

Mexican-American War Maps

Here is a map of the campaign routes

Mexico - War with Texas (1835-1836) and War Between the United States and Mexico (1846-1847)
MEXICAN AMERICAN WAR
Click map to enlarge


And here's a huge map of the US Battle Sites

United States - Battle Sites 1689 - 1945
United States 1689 - 1945 Battle Sites
Click Map to enlarge

 

The Mexican-American War and Texas

The following is quoted from the Atlas of Texas, 1976, used with permission of the University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin.

In July 1845 Texas formally accepted an American proposal to be annexed to the United States. Already strained relations between the United States and Mexico rapidly worsened. President James K. Polk ordered General Zachary Taylor and his troops to Corpus Christi. In March 1846, under instructions, Taylor took up positions on the Rio Grande. On April 26 an American squadron of dragoons surrounded by Mexicans and unable to fight its way out surrendered. Several Americans lost their lives in the defeat.

On May 8 the Mexicans intercepted Taylor at Palo Alto but were driven back. The next day Mexicans again gave way in battle at Resaca de la Palma. In June Taylor began a march toward Monterrey, taking that city on September 25. Two months later the Americans took Saltillo and with little effort filed into Tampico.

Santa Anna now took the field against the American forces in northern Mexico, finally engaging the Americans at Buena Vista in February. Upon learning of the Mexican's design, General John E. Wool marched from San Antonio to join Taylor's forces, abandoning his prior plans to take Chihuahua. After extremely bitter fighting Santa Anna pulled out his army, leaving Taylor in control of northern Mexico.

While Taylor pursued the enemy, Colonel Stephen W. Kearny took the "Army of the West" into New Mexico, capturing Santa Fe on August 16, 1846. Kearny then divided his forces, taking part to California and sending the remainder under Alexander W. Doniphan against Chihuahua. After General Winfield Scott captured Mexico City the two countries finally reached a settlement.


Source: Maps adapted from The West Point Atlas of American Wars, Volume 1, Frederick A. Praeger, 1959. 
 

 

Check the costs of major US wars in comparison.

Check the American war casualties report

 

 

See also American Timeline.

 

 

 

 

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